PUTIN: MOSCOW AND MINSK FURTHER STRENGTHEN UNION

MOSCOW, AUGUST 29 /SRNA – RIA Novosti/ — Russia and Belarus are continuing to work together on the international stage and are strengthening the Union State, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated.

Putin said during the meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State would be held soon.

The Russian president highlighted active cooperation between Moscow and Minsk on all international platforms, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Lukashenko said Belarus was ready to face all challenges together with Russia.

"Do not doubt that together we will overcome all kinds of difficulties through cooperation. I have said this many times when meeting with representatives of Russian businesses and regional authorities," Lukashenko said.